Ridgefield To Vote On $148 Million in Budgets On Tuesday

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Residents will cast their votes for or against a $147,827,683 operating budget and its accompanying 1.24 percent tax hike at referendum Tuesday, May 14.

The town has proposed a budget of $47,793,923, which includes a Debt Service of $11,315,116. The Board of Education is asking for $98,193,760 for the upcoming year.

Voters will also be asked to vote for $1,840,000 for road and infrastructure improvement, of which $75,000 is specifically targeted to ensure the town complies with Americans With Disabilities Act legislation.

There are six additional, capital requests upon which residents are being asked to vote.

• $1,210,092 for the purchase of a ladder truck for the fire department;
• $602,300 in bonding authorization to finance a dump truck, a road sweeper and sidewalk improvements;
• $917,000 in building improvements, to include replacing the air conditioning at the Recreation Center and Venus Building, and the front steps at East Ridge Middle School;
• $184,000 for roof repairs at Branchville ($90,000) and Scotland ($94,000) elementary schools;
• $565,000 for computer and information technology equipment, repairs and upgrades; and
• $1,142,128 for school initiatives that include $186,900 for the removal of oil tanks at Veteran's Park Elementary School and East Ridge Middle School, and for asbestos abatement at Scotland Elementary School; $167,810 for a district-wide security and surveillance assurance project; $279,477 for school energy and water-saving projects; $299,686 for lighting and carpeting at Ridgefield High School and a vestibule at Barlow Mountain Elementary School; and $208,255 for vehicles and custodial equipment.

Further details can be found on the town website.

Voting will be held from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Yanity Gym, 22 Prospect Ridge in Ridgefield.